In addition to what Kelly has said, At the bottom of each posting you make or reply to is a bunch of check boxes. The second from the bottom says "Notify me when a reply is posted" If you want to follow a particular topic this is a great feature and it works well. I've used it a few times and I get a notice as soon as somebody replies. I only get one notice no matter how many replies are made, until I go in and read the thread. After that I'll get another notice when more replies are made. That way my in-box isn't full of duplicate messages.

LynAB, Zone 3A----------------------------------“Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.” ` James Arthur Baldwin"